Dorset."--TODD.]

* * * * *


PROSOPOPOIA:

OR

MOTHER HUBBERDS TALE.


It was the month in which the righteous Maide
That for disdaine of sinfull worlds upbraide
Fled back to heaven, whence she was first conceived,
Into her silver bowre the Sunne received;
And the hot Syrian Dog on him awayting, 5
After the chafed Lyons cruell bayting,
Corrupted had th'ayre with his noysome breath.
And powr'd on th'earth plague, pestilence, and death.
Emongst the rest a wicked maladie
Raign'd emongst men, that manie did to die, 10
Depriv'd of sense and ordinarie reason;
That it to leaches seemed strange and geason.
[_Geason_, rare.]
My fortune was, mongst manie others moe,
To be partaker of their common woe;
And my weake bodie, set on fire with griefe, 15
Was rob'd of rest and naturall reliefe.
In this ill plight, there came to visite mee